System and method for vibration monitoring of a mining machine

ABSTRACT

A mining machine having a control system for operating the mining machine. The control system includes a vibration monitor. The mining machine further includes a sensor and a vibration control system. The sensor senses vibration of a component of the mining machine. The vibration control system determines when the mining machine is moving in a proper cycle, triggers acquisition of vibration sensor data from the sensor in response to determining that the mining machine is moving in the proper cycle, and outputs the vibration sensor data.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser.No. 13/743,894, filed Jan. 17, 2013, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Application 61/587,890, filed Jan. 18, 2012, and U.S.Provisional Application 61/594,234, filed Feb. 2, 2012, the entirecontents of which are hereby incorporated

BACKGROUND

The application relates to vibration monitoring for electric miningshovels. Two conventional types of vibration monitoring and analysis onmining machines include manual testing and primitive operationalmonitoring. Manual testing involved placing mining machines off-line andinterrupting regular mining operations. Then, personnel would secure oneor two vibration sensors on or near one or more moving components of theto-be-analyzed mining machine. The personnel would then instruct theoperator of the mining machine to operate the mining machine in aparticular way in order to capture vibration data. Thereafter, thecaptured data would be analyzed for diagnostic purposes. Manual testingwas a labor intensive activity that required a high level of expertisefor placement of vibration data sensors, vibration data collection, andvibration data analysis. Additionally, manual testing requiredinterruption of mining operations for several hours. Primitiveoperational monitoring involved installing a vibration monitor forcapture of vibration data during operation of the mining machine. Thecapture of vibration data was initiated based on two factors, motorspeed and motor rotation direction. The capture of vibration data wasnot based on the shovel's operating cycle, but rather simply motor speedand rotational direction. This technique resulted not only ininefficient and inconsistent data capture, but collected vibration datathat was difficult to analyze.

SUMMARY

Vibration monitoring enables monitoring of the overall bearing and shafthealth of an electric mining shovel.

One embodiment provides a mining machine having a control system foroperating the mining machine. The control system includes a vibrationmonitor. The mining machine further includes a sensor and a vibrationcontrol system. The sensor senses vibration of a component of the miningmachine. The vibration control system determines when the mining machineis moving in a proper cycle, triggers acquisition of vibration sensordata from the sensor in response to determining that the mining machineis moving in the proper cycle, and outputs the vibration sensor data.

Another embodiment provides a method for monitoring mining equipment.The method including monitoring operation of a mining machine, anddetermining that a component of the mining machine is moving in a propercycle. The method further including triggering, by a processor, theacquisition of vibration data of the mining machine in response todetermining that the component of the mining machine is moving in theproper cycle, and outputting the vibration data.

Another embodiment provides a mining machine having a control system foroperating the mining machine. The control system including a vibrationmonitor. The mining machine including a user-interface, a sensor, and aprocessor. The user-interface provides instructions to operate acomponent of the mining machine in a predetermined pattern. The sensorsenses vibration of the component of the mining machine while thecomponent operates in the predetermined pattern, the sensor outputtingvibration sensor data. The processor receives the vibration sensor datafrom the sensor, processes the vibration sensor data, and outputs theprocessed vibration data.

Yet another embodiment provides mining machine having a control systemfor operating the mining machine. The mining machine includes auser-interface, a sensor, and a processor. The user-interface providesinstructions to operate the mining machine in a predetermined pattern.The sensor senses a parameter of the mining machine while the miningmachine operates in the predetermined pattern, and outputs sensor datarepresenting the sensed parameter. The processor receives the sensordata from the sensor, processes the sensor data, and outputs theprocessed sensor data.

In some embodiments, the application includes a mining machine includinga simulated tachometer and a vibration monitoring module. The simulatedtachometer may include a voltage monitor, or a voltage monitor and avoltage-to-pulse converter, which are used to determine a speed of acomponent of the mining machine to generate sensed speed, which isoutputted to the vibration module. The vibration module sensesvibrations of the component of the mining machine, based on the sensedspeed, and generates vibration data. The vibration module then processesthe vibration data to generate a spectral waveform. The processing mayinclude a Fourier transform and may be based in part on the sensed speedto adjust for variations in the speed of the component during collectionof the vibration data. The component may be one of a hoist motor, crowdmotor, swing motor, hoist gearbox, crowd gearbox, and swing gearbox.

Other aspects of the application will become apparent by considerationof the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an electric mining shovel.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a control system of the miningshovel of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a vibration data collection systemof the mining shovel.

FIG. 4 illustrates a vibration spectrum analysis.

FIGS. 5a-5d illustrate a user-interface of the control system.

FIG. 6 illustrates a process of collecting vibration data.

FIG. 7 illustrates a simulated tachometer of the mining shovel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before any embodiments of the application are explained in detail, it isto be understood that the application is not limited in its applicationto the details of construction and the arrangement of components setforth in the following description or illustrated in the followingdrawings. The application is capable of other embodiments and of beingpracticed or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to beunderstood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for thepurpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The useof “including,” “comprising” or “having” and variations thereof hereinis meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalentsthereof as well as additional items. The terms “mounted,” “connected”and “coupled” are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirectmounting, connecting and coupling. Further, “connected” and “coupled”are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings,and can include electrical connections or couplings, whether direct orindirect. Also, electronic communications and notifications may beperformed using any known means including direct connections, wirelessconnections, etc.

It should also be noted that a plurality of hardware and software baseddevices, as well as a plurality of different structural components maybe used to implement the application. In addition, it should beunderstood that embodiments of the application may include hardware,software, and electronic components or modules that, for purposes ofdiscussion, may be illustrated and described as if the majority of thecomponents were implemented solely in hardware. However, one of ordinaryskill in the art, and based on a reading of this detailed description,would recognize that, in at least one embodiment, the electronic basedaspects of the application may be implemented in software (e.g., storedon non-transitory computer-readable medium) executable by one or moreprocessors. As such, it should be noted that a plurality of hardware andsoftware based devices, as well as a plurality of different structuralcomponents may be utilized to implement the application. Furthermore,and as described in subsequent paragraphs, the specific mechanicalconfigurations illustrated in the drawings are intended to exemplifyembodiments of the application and that other alternative mechanicalconfigurations are possible. For example, “controllers” described in thespecification can include standard processing components, such as one ormore processors, one or more computer-readable medium modules, one ormore input/output interfaces, and various connections (e.g., a systembus) connecting the components.

FIG. 1 illustrates an electric mining shovel 100. The embodiment shownin FIG. 1 illustrates the electric mining shovel 100 as a rope shovel,however in other embodiments the electric mining shovel 100 can be adifferent type of mining machine, for example, a hybrid mining shovel, adragline excavator, etc. The mining shovel 100 includes tracks 105 forpropelling the rope shovel 100 forward and backward, and for turning therope shovel 100 (i.e., by varying the speed and/or direction of the leftand right tracks relative to each other). The tracks 105 support a base110 including a cab 115. The base 110 is able to swing or swivel about aswing axis 125, for instance, to move from a digging location to adumping location. Movement of the tracks 105 is not necessary for theswing motion. The rope shovel further includes a dipper shaft 130supporting a pivotable dipper handle 135 (handle 135) and dipper 140.The dipper 140 includes a door 145 for dumping contents from within thedipper 140 into a dump location, such as a hopper or dump-truck.

The rope shovel 100 also includes taut suspension cables 150 coupledbetween the base 110 and dipper shaft 130 for supporting the dippershaft 130; a hoist cable 155 attached to a winch (not shown) within thebase 110 for winding the cable 155 to raise and lower the dipper 140;and a dipper door cable 160 attached to another winch (not shown) foropening the door 145 of the dipper 140. In some instances, the ropeshovel 100 is a P&H® 4100 series shovel produced by P&H Mining EquipmentInc., although the electric mining shovel 100 can be another type ormodel of electric mining equipment.

When the tracks 105 of the mining shovel 100 are static, the dipper 140is operable to move based on three control actions, hoist, crowd, andswing. The hoist control raises and lowers the dipper 140 by winding andunwinding hoist cable 155. The crowd control extends and retracts theposition of the handle 135 and dipper 140. In one embodiment, the handle135 and dipper 140 are crowded by using a rack and pinion system. Inanother embodiment, the handle 135 and dipper 140 are crowded using ahydraulic drive system. The swing control swivels the handle 135relative to the swing axis 125. Before dumping its contents, the dipper140 is maneuvered to the appropriate hoist, crowd, and swing positionsto 1) ensure the contents do not miss the dump location; 2) the door 145does not hit the dump location when released; and 3) the dipper 140 isnot too high such that the released contents would damage the dumplocation.

As shown in FIG. 2, the mining shovel 100 includes a control system 200.The control system 200 includes a controller 205, operator controls 210,dipper controls 215, sensors 220, a user-interface 225, and otherinput/outputs 230. The controller 205 includes a processor 235 andmemory 240. The memory 240 stores instructions executable by theprocessor 235 and various inputs/outputs for, e.g., allowingcommunication between the controller 205 and the operator or between thecontroller 205 and sensors 220. In some instances, the controller 205includes one or more of a microprocessor, digital signal processor(DSP), field programmable gate array (FPGA), application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), or the like.

The controller 205 receives input from the operator controls 210. Theoperator controls 210 include a crowd control 245, a swing control 250,a hoist control 255, and a door control 260. The crowd control 245,swing control 250, hoist control 255, and door control 260 include, forinstance, operator controlled input devices such as joysticks, levers,foot pedals, and other actuators. The operator controls 210 receiveoperator input via the input devices and output digital motion commandsto the controller 205. The motion commands include, for example, hoistup, hoist down, crowd extend, crowd retract, swing clockwise, swingcounterclockwise, dipper door release, left track forward, left trackreverse, right track forward, and right track reverse.

Upon receiving a motion command, the controller 205 generally controlsdipper controls 215 as commanded by the operator. The dipper controls215 include one or more crowd motors 265, one or more swing motors 270,and one or more hoist motors 275. For instance, if the operatorindicates via swing control 250 to rotate the handle 135counterclockwise, the controller 305 will generally control the swingmotor 270 to rotate the handle 135 counterclockwise. However, in someembodiments of the application the controller 205 is operable to limitthe operator motion commands and generate motion commands independent ofthe operator input.

The controller 205 is also in communication with a number of sensors 220to monitor the location and status of the dipper 140. For example, thecontroller 205 is in communication with one or more crowd sensors 280,one or more swing sensors 285, and one or more hoist sensors 290. Thecrowd sensors 280 indicate to the controller 205 the level of extensionor retraction of the dipper 140. The swing sensors 285 indicate to thecontroller 205 the swing angle of the handle 135. The hoist sensors 290indicate to the controller 205 the height of the dipper 140 based on thehoist cable 155 position. In other embodiments there are door latchsensors which, among other things, indicate whether the dipper door 145is open or closed and measure weight of a load contained in the dipper140

The user-interface 225, such as an operator user-interface, providesinformation to the operator about the status of the mining shovel 100and other systems communicating with the mining shovel 100. Theuser-interface 225 includes one or more of the following: a display(e.g. a liquid crystal display (LCD)); one or more light emitting diodes(LEDs) or other illumination devices; a heads-up display (e.g.,projected on a window of the cab 115); speakers for audible feedback(e.g., beeps, spoken messages, etc.); tactile feedback devices such asvibration devices that cause vibration of the operator's seat oroperator controls 210; or another feedback device.

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a vibration data collection system300 of the mining shovel 100. The vibration data collection system 300includes one or more accelerometer sensors 305, one or more tachometers307, a vibration spectral analysis processor 310, and a server 315. Thedata collection system 300 is further electrically coupled to thecontroller 205.

The accelerometer sensors 305 collect vibration data of the miningshovel 100 while the mining shovel 100 is in operation. Theaccelerometer sensors 305 measure vibrations of a structure. The forcecaused by vibrations causes a force onto the piezoelectric materialwithin the accelerometer sensors 305. The piezoelectric materialproduces an electric charge which is proportional to the force exertedupon it. The accelerometer sensors 305 may be radial accelerometersensors or axial accelerometer sensors. The radial accelerometer sensorsmeasure the acceleration on bearings of the mining shovel 100. The axialaccelerometer sensors measure the acceleration on shafts of the miningshovel 100. The accelerometer sensors 305 are located at variouslocations on the mining shovel 100 including, among other locations, theone or more crowd motors 265, the one or more swing motors 270, the oneor more hoist motors 275, a hoist gearbox, a crowd gearbox, and a swinggearbox.

The tachometers 307 measure the rotational speed of the various motorsof the mining shovel 100. Each tachometer 307 can either be a physicaltachometer or a simulated tachometer. A physical tachometer is aninstrument that physically measures the rotational speed of a motor forexample, using a optical or a magnetic sensor. Simulated tachometers aredescribed in more detail below.

The vibration spectral analysis processor 310 processes vibration datafrom the accelerometer sensors 305 and outputs processed vibration data.In some embodiments the vibration spectral analysis processor 310outputs the raw vibration data along with the processed vibration data.The vibration spectral analysis processor 310 includes a processor andmemory. The processor executes instructions stored on the memory foranalyzing and processing the received data from the accelerometersensors 305. In some instances the vibration spectral analysis processor310 is a microprocessor, digital signal processor (DSP), fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA), application specific integrated circuit(ASIC), or the like. In some embodiments, the vibration spectralanalysis processor 310 processes the vibration data by creating a soundfile of the vibration data. The vibration spectral analysis processor310 then performs a Fourier transform on the created sound file tocreate a vibration spectrum. In other embodiments, other spectralanalysis algorithms are applied to create different variations of thespectrum or analyze the data in another way.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary vibration spectrum 320 created by thevibration spectral analysis processor 310. A single vibration spectrum320 corresponds to a part of the mining shovel 100 being monitored, suchas a cooling fan, a gearbox, a transmission, or a motor (e.g., a hoistmotor 275). Therefore, the vibration spectral analysis processor 310creates multiple vibration spectrums 320 for each monitored part of themining shovel 100. A spectrum 320 includes several peaks 325. Peaks 325of a vibration spectrum 320 with an abnormally high amplitude indicatepossible mechanical failure or future failure on a corresponding part ofthe mining shovel 100 (e.g., an exhaust fan, or one of the hoist motors275). Vibration data may be obtained and processed periodically (e.g.,on a weekly basis) to generate multiple spectrums 320 for each monitoredpart of the mining shovel 100. A failure or impending failure may alsobe identified when a peak 325 for a particular frequency is shown to beincreasing over time (e.g., over a few periodically created spectrums320).

The server 315 is used to communicate the processed and/or raw vibrationdata, including the one or more vibration spectrums 320, from thevibration spectral analysis processor 310 to a central location forfurther analysis. The server 315 may be in communication with thevibration spectrum analysis processor 310 via a local area network, awide area network, a wireless network, the Internet, or the like.

In some embodiments, to collect valid vibration measurements, thevibration data collection system 300 obtains vibration data whilemovement of a component of the mining shovel 100 being tested is at aconstant speed (i.e., movement of the dipper such as by swinging,crowding, hoisting, etc. at a constant speed) that is within apredefined speed range. In some embodiments, the speed is determined tobe constant while the speed is varying by 50 RPM, 100 RPM, 300 RPM, orup to 600 RPM. When the speed varies, an algorithm may be used toaccount for the variations in speed. In some embodiments one to threeseconds of vibration data is captured during movement at a constantspeed, within the range, for accurate vibration analysis. In someembodiments, the speed of the component of the mining shovel 100 doesnot need to be within a predefined speed range. Constant speed can bemaintained or identified during operation by a variety of methodsexplained in detail below.

Stage Testing

Stage testing is one embodiment of vibration data collection. Stagetesting includes the mining shovel 100 moving in various predeterminedpatterns while the vibration data is collected by the data collectionsystem 300. By moving in predetermined patterns, vibration data can becaptured at known points when the mining shovel 100 is operating at aconstant speed. The predetermined patterns include, but are not limitedto: hoisting the dipper 140 up and down; crowding the dipper 140 in andout; and swinging the handle 135 left and right. For example, whenhoisting the dipper 140 up, the dipper 140 will move at a constantspeed, within the predefined speed range, for approximately one to threeseconds. Once the dipper 140 has been hoisted all the way up, the dipper140 is stopped at the top and hoisted down. When the dipper 140 ishoisted down, the dipper 140 will move at a constant speed, within therange, for approximately one to three seconds until the dipper 140 ishoisted all the way down. This is repeated until enough vibration datais collected. In some instances, such as when hoisting the dipper 140 upand down, the predefined speed range is 1000 RPM to 1500 RPM. Thepredefined speed range may be different for other components or otherpredetermined patterns.

FIGS. 5a-5d illustrate the stage testing operator instructions as theyare displayed on the user-interface 225, such as the operatoruser-interface, in one embodiment. Although discussed as being displayedon the user-interface 225, in other embodiments, the stage testinginstructions are displayed and/or generated audibly on a separateuser-interface.

As shown in FIG. 5a , the operator begins stage testing operations byselecting to begin a specific stage test using the user-interface 225.For example, the operator uses the user-interface 225 to select hoiststage testing 330, crowd stage testing 335, swing stage testing 340, orother various stage tests.

As shown in FIG. 5b , once the operator has selected the specific stagetest, the user-interface 225 informs the operator of the steps necessaryto begin the testing. For example, as shown in FIG. 5b , theuser-interface 225 informs the operator to begin the test by instructingthe operator to “Crowd dipper to full extension and then quickly movethe hoist up and down.”

As shown in FIG. 5c , once the operator begins the test, theuser-interface 225 will continue to give operating instructions such as“Continue hoisting up and down.” The user-interface 225 further includesa progress bar 342 and a speedometer 345. The progress bar 342 informsthe operator of his progress during the stage testing. In otherembodiments visual or audio progress indicators, other than a progressbar, are used to indicate the operator's progress during stage testing.The speedometer 345 informs the operator of the speed of the movingcomponent of the mining shovel 100. The speedometer 345 includes atarget range 350 that indicates to the operator the predefined speedrange that the moving component of the mining shovel 100 must be movingat for data to be captured. In some situations, in which the speed of amoving component does not need to be within a predefined speed range,the speedometer 345 is omitted from the user-interface 225. As shown inFIG. 5d , once the stage testing is complete the user-interface 225instructs the operator to “Stop hoisting.”

As the mining machine 100 is operated during the various stage tests,the vibration data is obtained by the accelerometer sensors 305 andstored in a memory (e.g., of the accelerometer sensors 305 or thevibration spectral analysis processor 310). The recorded data is thenprocessed by the vibration spectral analysis processor 310 to generateone or more spectrums 320 corresponding to various components of themining shovel 100 (processed vibration data). The processed data canthen be sent to an off-site location (e.g, server 315) for furtheranalysis or to be displayed locally, such as on the user interface 225.Additionally, the vibration spectral analysis processor 310, server 315,controller 205, or another device may analyze the processed data todetermine whether a failure has occurred or is impending on a componentof the mining shovel 100. In other words, the peaks 325 of spectrums areanalyzed to determine whether they exceed a predetermined threshold orhave increased over time at an excessive rate. The predeterminedthresholds and rates may be specific to particular components as well.Accordingly, a peak 325 of one spectrum 320 corresponding to onecomponent may be acceptable, but a similar peak 325 of another spectrum320 corresponding to another component may be at a level that wouldindicate an issue.

Vibration Data Collection during Operation of Mining Shovel

Another method for collecting vibration data includes collecting thevibration data while the mining shovel 100 is in normal operation,rather than during stage testing. During normal operation, the miningshovel 100 operates in specific cycles, such as digging, swingingtowards the dump location, and tucking. These cycles have specificspeeds and torques associated with them. During portions of variouscycles of the mining shovel 100 operation, the mining shovel 100 willhave a constant speed, within the predefined range, and a constanttorque, within a predefined range. Torque that remains positive orremains negative (i.e., does not cross the zero-torque threshold) duringa particular time period is considered constant during that time period.The control system 200 uses an algorithm to identify the cycle that themining shovel 100 is performing. In one embodiment, the algorithm usesspeed, torque, and position to identify the cycle and trigger datacollection. In another embodiment, the algorithm uses the rate of speedincrease or decrease to trigger data collection. In another embodiment,the algorithm only uses speed and position to trigger data collection.

FIG. 6 illustrates a process 400 for collecting vibration data duringoperation of the mining shovel. Process 400 begins by monitoring theoperation of the mining shovel 100 (Step 405). The data collectionsystem 300 determines if the mining shovel 100 is in a proper cyclewhere the speed will remain constant for one to three seconds (Step410). If the mining shovel 100 is not in a proper cycle, the datacollection system 300 reverts back to step 405. If the mining shovel 100is in a proper cycle, the data collection system 300 determines if acomponent of the mining shovel 100 is at a constant speed, within thepredefined speed range (Step 415). If the component of the mining shovel100 is not at a constant speed and within the predefined speed range,the data collection system 300 reverts back to step 405. If thecomponent of the mining shovel 100 is at a constant speed, the datacollection system 300 determines if the torque is constant and withinthe predefined torque range (Step 420). If the torque is not constantand within the predefined torque range, the data collection system 300reverts back to step 405. If the torque is constant and within thepredefined torque range, the data collection system 300 beginscollecting vibration data (Step 425). The data collection system 300next determines if a sufficient amount of vibration data has beencollected (Step 430). If a sufficient amount of vibration data has notbeen collected, the data collection system 300 reverts back to step 405.Vibration data may be collected over several cycles. If a sufficientamount of vibration data has been collected, the vibration data isprocessed by the vibration spectral analysis processor 310 (Step 435).Next, the data collection system 300 or a technician determines if theprocessed vibration data indicates a mechanical issue (Step 440). Ifthere is not an issue, the data collection system 300 reverts back tostep 405. If there is an issue, the data collection system 300 generatesan alarm (Step 445). Once the vibration data is processed, the processedvibration data can be sent to an off-site location, such as the server315, for further analysis. In some embodiments, step 420 is bypassed inthe process 400, such that data capture is not triggered based ontorque.

Simulated Tachometer

As discussed above, for the data collection system 300 to collect validvibration measurements, the speed of the components of the mining shovel100 being tested should remain relatively constant and within thepredefined speed range. Thus, the tachometers 307 may be used to monitorthe speed of components of the mining machine 100. In some embodiments,such as a mining shovel 100 including direct-current motors, the miningshovel 100 uses simulated tachometers, rather than physical tachometers,as the tachometers 307.

As shown in FIG. 6, a simulated tachometer 450 is used to determinespeed. The simulated tachometer 450 includes a current monitor 455, avoltage-to-pulse converter 460, and a simulated tachometer analysisprocessor 465. The simulated tachometer 450 can then be electricallycoupled to the vibration data collection system 300.

The voltage monitor 455 monitors the motor voltage of the mining shovel100. This monitored voltage is proportional to the speed of the motor.In some embodiments, the motor voltage of the mining shovel 100 ismonitored by the control system 200, and a separate voltage monitor 455is unnecessary. The monitored voltage is outputted to the tachometeranalysis processor 460, which then outputs a voltage analog signal. Insome embodiment, the tachometer analysis processor 460 outputs thevoltage analog signal to a voltage-to-pulse converter 460. Thevoltage-to-pulse converter 465 converts the voltage analog signal (e.g.,24 volts) to a frequency (e.g., 1000 Hz). The frequency, which isrepresentative of the speed of the motor of the mining machine 100, isthen outputted to the vibration data collection system 300, theuser-interface 225, or both. In some embodiments, the voltage analogsignal is outputted directly to the vibration data collection system300, the user-interface 225, or both, and a voltage-to-pulse converter465 is unnecessary. In some embodiments, the simulated tachometer 450uses the motor current in conjunction with the motor voltage todetermine a speed of the motor of the mining machine 100.

Thus, the application provides, among other things, a method and systemfor vibration testing of an electric mining shovel. Various features andadvantages of the application are set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mining machine having a control system foroperating the mining machine, the control system having a vibrationmonitor, the mining machine comprising: a sensor sensing vibration of acomponent of the mining machine; and a vibration control systemdetermining when the mining machine is moving in a proper cycle,triggering acquisition of vibration sensor data from the sensor inresponse to determining that the mining machine is moving in the propercycle, and outputting the vibration sensor data.
 2. The mining machineof claim 1, wherein the sensor is an accelerometer.
 3. The miningmachine of claim 1, further comprising a tachometer that monitors speedof the mining machine while operating in the proper cycle.
 4. The miningmachine of claim 3, wherein the tachometer is a simulated tachometerincluding a voltage monitor.
 5. The mining machine of claim 1, furthercomprising a user-interface that indicates at least one of an amount ofthe vibration sensor data collected and the processed vibration data. 6.The mining machine of claim 1, further including a network forcommunicating the processed vibration data.
 7. The mining machine ofclaim 6, wherein the processed vibration data is displayed at a remotelocation.
 8. The mining machine of claim 1, wherein the vibrationcontrol system further monitors the speed of the component of the miningmachine and obtains the vibration sensor data further based ondetermining that the component is moving at a constant speed within apredefined speed range.
 9. The mining machine of claim 1, wherein thevibration control system further monitors torque of the component of themining machine and obtains the vibration sensor data further based ondetermining that the component has a constant torque within a predefinedrange.
 10. The mining machine of claim 1, wherein the proper cycle is atleast one of a digging operation, a swinging operation, and a tuckingoperation.
 11. The mining machine of claim 1, wherein the vibrationcontrol system further obtains vibration sensor data from the sensorupon determining a speed of the component of the mining machine iswithin a predefined speed range.
 12. The mining machine of claim 1,wherein the vibration control system further obtains vibration sensordata from the sensor upon determining a torque of the component of themining machine is within a predefined torque range.
 13. The miningmachine of claim 1, wherein the vibration control system furthercomprises generating an alarm when the processed vibration dataindicates a mechanical issue with the component of the mining machine.14. A method for monitoring mining equipment, the method comprising:monitoring operation of a mining machine; determining that a componentof the mining machine is moving in a proper cycle; triggering, by aprocessor, the acquisition of vibration data of the mining machine inresponse to determining that the component of the mining machine ismoving in the proper cycle; and outputting the vibration data.
 15. Themethod of claim 14, further including determining that the component ofthe mining machine is moving with at least one selected from the groupconsisting of a constant speed and a constant torque.
 16. The method ofclaim 15, wherein the component of the mining machine is moving with aconstant torque within a predefined range.
 17. The method of claim 14,wherein the component of the mining machine is moving at a constantspeed within a predefined range.
 18. The method of claim 14, furthercomprising obtaining, by the processor, vibration sensor data from thesensor upon determining a torque of the component of the mining machineis within a predefined torque range.
 19. A mining machine having acontrol system for operating the mining machine, the control systemhaving a vibration monitor, the mining machine comprising: auser-interface providing instructions to operate a component of themining machine in a predetermined pattern; a sensor sensing vibration ofthe component of the mining machine while the component operates in thepredetermined pattern, the sensor outputting vibration sensor data; anda processor receiving the vibration sensor data from the sensor,processing the vibration sensor data, and outputting the processedvibration data.
 20. The mining machine of claim 19, wherein thepredetermined pattern includes at least one selected from the groupconsisting of a hoisting action, a crowding action, and a swingingaction.
 21. The mining machine of claim 19, wherein the component is atleast one selected from the group consisting of a dipper shaft, ahandle, and a dipper.
 22. A mining machine having a control system foroperating the mining machine, the mining machine comprising: auser-interface providing instructions to operate the mining machine in apredetermined pattern; a sensor sensing a parameter of the miningmachine while the mining machine operates in the predetermined pattern,the sensor outputting sensor data representing the sensed parameter; anda processor receiving the sensor data from the sensor, processing thesensor data, and outputting the processed sensor data.
 23. The miningmachine of claim 22, wherein the parameter sensed is vibration, torque,or speed.
 24. The mining machine of claim 22, wherein the sensor is anaccelerometer that senses vibration.
 25. The mining machine of claim 22,further comprising a tachometer that monitors speed of the miningmachine while operating in the predetermined pattern.
 26. The miningmachine of claim 25, wherein the tachometer is a simulated tachometerincluding a voltage monitor.
 27. The mining machine of claim 22, whereinthe predetermined pattern is at least one of moving a hoist up and down,moving a crowd in and out, and swinging a handle side to side.
 28. Themining machine of claim 22, wherein the parameter is vibration andwherein processing the sensor data includes performing a Fouriertransform on the sensor data.
 29. The mining machine of claim 22,wherein the user-interface further indicates at least one of an amountof the sensor data collected and the processed sensor data outputted bythe processor.
 30. The mining machine of claim 22, wherein the miningmachine is moved in the predetermined pattern until an amount ofcollected sensor data exceeds a threshold.
 31. The mining machine ofclaim 22, further including a network for communicating the processedsensor data outputted by the processor.
 32. The mining machine of claim31, wherein the processed sensor data is displayed at a remote location.